Hymnody Conference Focuses On New Works

August 16, 1985|The Morning Call

Hymn experts from 20 countries continued their study and celebration at the International Conference on Hymnody being held this week in Bethlehem.

Dolores Bruch, a participant in the conference, found last night's singing of hymns from the late Erik Routley's new hymnal "Rejoice in the Lord," an "exceedingly comfortable and yet challenging evening."

Bruch, a professor of organ church music at the University of Iowa, called the evening a "celebration of the kinds of things (Routley) has worked for."

Earlier in the day, participants had seen a videotape of Routley reviewing his work.

She also called "extraordinary" the presentations of the "colorful traditions that have come into American hymnody" from other sources.

Participants heard presentations on Slavic, American Indian, African, Asian and South American/Spanish sources from experts who have been involved with the editing and collecting of hymnals.

Bruch said she has talked with European guests who "were almost traumatized by all the variety" at the conference. "For them, it's highly exotic to be hearing tapes of American Indians singing hymns."

Yesterday's program also included a talk on "Humor in Hymnody" by Hugh D. McKellar.